Kogi SDP calls for removal of police commissioner over ‘escalating insecurity’

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship campaign council for the Kogi governorship election has called for the “immediate removal” of Bertran Unuoha, the commissioner of police, over “escalating insecurity” in the state.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, Isaiah Ijele, spokesperson of the campaign team, said the party does not have confidence in the ability of the police commissioner to handle the rising insecurity in the state.

Ijele said the state has become a den for robbers and kidnappers under the watch of Unuoha.

“The security situation in Kogi state is alarming, and we can no longer trust the CP to handle it,” he said.

“The lawlessness and impunity in Kogi are getting out of hand.

“The state is becoming a den of robbers, kidnappings, and other vices, and the CP is not doing anything about it but only acts when it comes to political issues.”

Ijele expressed worry over a widely reported internal memo by the Kogi police command that directed a show of force tactic to ensure that there is law and order as the supreme court delivers a verdict on the state’s governorship election dispute on Friday.

“How did he know that the supreme court would deliver its judgment on Friday, August 16, 2024, when the apex court had not been constituted or composed yet?” he said.

“The CP is more concerned with political issues than addressing the security challenges facing the state.”

He asked President Bola Tinubu and Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to ensure that Kogi is safe.